Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 1(1), pp. 7 - 13
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2013.010102
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Screening for Cervical Cancer - Uptake and Associated Factors in a Representative Sample in the City of Patras, West-Greece

Eleni Jelastopulu^1,*, Pania Karnaki², Christos Bartsokas¹, Panagiotis Plotas¹, Aris Sissouras^3
1 Public Health Department, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
² Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Athens, Greece
³ Department of Operational Research and Management, University of Patras, Patras, Greece

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to provide a profile of cervical cancer screening practices among the women in Patras and to assess factors associated with cervical cancer screening uptake. Data from a representative sample of 873 women were analyzed. 67.2% had at least one Pap test in their life, with 54.4% having been tested in the previous three years. Women aged 35-44 and 45-54 years were more likely to have had a recent Pap test (OR>3) as well as married/partnered women (OR=2.4). Unemployed women and women with the lowest educational level were less likely to have had a recent Pap test. Compared to women with a monthly household income of <500€, those with higher income were more likely to have had a Pap test. The prevalence of Pap testing in Patras is very low. Our findings support the necessity of implementation of national screening programs or targeted screening interventions mainly in the identified under-screened population subgroups, i.e. women with socioeconomic disadvantages.

KEYWORDS
Cervical cancer, Greece, Pap-test, screening

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Eleni Jelastopulu , Pania Karnaki , Christos Bartsokas , Panagiotis Plotas , Aris Sissouras , "Screening for Cervical Cancer - Uptake and Associated Factors in a Representative Sample in the City of Patras, West-Greece," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 7 - 13, 2013. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2013.010102.

(b). APA Format:
Eleni Jelastopulu , Pania Karnaki , Christos Bartsokas , Panagiotis Plotas , Aris Sissouras (2013). Screening for Cervical Cancer - Uptake and Associated Factors in a Representative Sample in the City of Patras, West-Greece. Universal Journal of Public Health, 1(1), 7 - 13. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2013.010102.